Wal-Mart is now selling it's own brand of a 12inch dutch oven under the Ozak brand name. $18.00 for it sitting on the shelf with the $59.00 Lodge 12inch next to it. (a year or so ago the Lodge was $52.00 for the 12inch) I saw a open box with one in it today so I took it out and looked at - it didn't look that bad, smooth consistent thickness though out. The lid's lip was there, just not as much lip as with the Lodge or Camp Chef ones. The one thing with the lid I did not like was the screw attached handle with what looked like a couple counter-sunk minuscule looking screws. It did have a decent looking carry handle with the wire wrapped hand hold center you see on the spender more expensive Lodge ovens. For a person who wants to try cooking for the first with one, this could be the one to try it out with - would be interesting to see how one of these would hold up over time. They maybe fine?

The finish on a dutch oven is far less critical than a skillet. If you are worried about sticking, a foil or parchment liner is an excellent answer. Dutch oven cooking need not be a major expense and I dare say there will be little if any difference noticed even when using the 2 options side by side cooking the same item.

the picture show here of the lid looks like it's lifting center loop is cast into the lid like the others being sold - the one I looked at ay W-M, had a separate loop attached to the lid with 2 screws from the inside. Cheap looking but than again - the whole thing is cheap at just under $18.00 !!

I also picked up one of these just a couple of days ago. I have not had a chance to try it yet, but while it has a little wobble, the lid fits far tighter than the one one the Lodge 10 deep that I just bought. The one from Wally World seems relatively well made. I am looking forward to breaking it in.

I just picked one of these up yesterday. My lid does have the screws to hold the handle, but with the light loads placed on that handle I'm optimistic about them holding up. I'm looking forward to breaking this thing in with some peach cobbler this weekend!

gudmund wrote:note the 12 inch that Ozak/W-M for $18. is selling is a 5 qt DO and the $59. 12 inch Lodge has a 6 qt capacity - not quite as big but for a very low $$$ it is not a bad looking DO.

Has anyone actually checked the volume on the Walmart DO? I have mine sitting next to my Lodge 12" and they sure look almost identical in size to me. I am hoping to put mine to the test this weekend, right before I cook SOMETHING in it.

AZKayaker wrote:The seal on the lid is important on a DO. Most Chinese DO's do not have the close tolerances of a Lodge.

Agreed, on both points, but I have to tell you I was surprised. I will put the seal on the Walmart oven up against any of my six Lodges. Maybe I just lucked out and got a good one, but mine has a nice seal.

the one I checked at W-M also had a very good fit = to the 12 inch Lodge I used to have and better than the Camp Chef I have now which is good but not quite as good as the old one (or the W-M one I looked at) size wise - a 1 qt difference is the stated difference which is not that much - the Lodge base I looked at did look to be just a bit larger in diameter but a measuring cup would be the way to check.

may not look like much but there is a difference in size and it is probably the stated 1 qt size. Measured the Ozak - 3.5 inch's deep and 9.75 inches in diameter across the bottom, the 12 inch Lodge is 3.75 deep and 10.25 inches across the bottom. (note-statement of measurement accuracy : These measurements were done with "my personal" pocket tape measure with these 63 year old eye-balls -"approximant" +/- an eighth to a quarter of a inch or there abouts -- so if you have a problem with these measurements I have stated here, you are welcome to do them yourself) Bottom line is, the Lodge is bigger and will hold more. take care